Work handling mechanism for sewing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for automatically stacking work pieces discharged from a sewing machine after the performance of a hemming operation. Involves an endless conveyor belt which delivers successive work pieces to the stitch forming mechanism of the sewing machine and carries the stitched work pieces to an automatic stacking mechanism. The latter has a pair of parallel throwing rods onto which successive work pieces are individually delivered by the conveyor belt. These rods are rotated or swing about one end thereof to carry each delivered work piece through an arc of 180* to deposit it onto a stationary catching rod. Rods continue to rotate through an arc totaling 360* to smooth each work piece on the catching rod and to return to position to receive next work piece. Photoelectric means automatically controls the operation of the throwing rods after the hemmed work piece has been delivered into the region thereof. A plurality of work pieces may be delivered to a single stationary catching rod. A shiftable member, such as a turntable, carries a plurality of such catching rods that are successively brought into the region in which they will receive hemmed work pieces from the throwing rods.

[111 3,749,397 [451 July 31,1973

United States Patent [1 1 Tim ABSTRACT WORK HANDLING MECHANISM FOR through an arc totaling 360 to smooth each work piece on the catching rod and to return to position to receive next work piece. Photoelectric means automatically 271/70 controls the operation of the throwing rods after the 271/70 hemmed work piece has been delivered into the region thereof. A plurality of work pieces may be delivered to a single stationary catching rod. A shiftable member,

such as a turntable, carries a plurality of such catching rods that are successively brought into the region in [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,367,651 2/l968 Ellen et 3,593,99l 7/l97l Baron et al. FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS e h y ae .$CW C m nwmwOt m fim mumfl m m s m 0 0 owm w wo smnm i em wd m m mam m m I s e a e s m w oedmmm mume m mfmw emfim dd m P f m om l mkm w MIC u msm .uPfi O e mm 00S mmwwwopmkvdlm wmmm mm malfiesfle e .mmmmmwhwwmmw a ocfk e nr mm w wmm t mwmmmn mm nm .l s aowm mh o n v I .ll-. W cm tft h Ti ma f d d v. m c mm mwb e m c m wod um wmm h mmm m. mmhwmflmow w me mw hffio ef m Acobftmrdows 0.!4 r 3 D 7 .m n u q 9 n 9 6 0 "0 u A5 1" 7% MIU am 0" 0 s n nu" UGIQ, In" h 7"" T 2"" A.c m6 mm km o "A" dw v mm u Po 0 "a RNNS m A mu 0 WMS mm N LM n .ml C We 6 P ..l Em I 0. mb SI: FA IF I. 1] 1]] 6 2 2 8 W. M in r iwm l 8 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures o Ks/ .t l .50 9 42d i i i y 7/1949 Germany 271/70 'r Emmi'fer Evon Blank which they will receive hemmed work pieces from the Assistant Examiner-Bruce l-I. Stoner, Jr. throw! rods Attorney-James D. Bock g PAIENHD JUL3 um SHEET 3 OF 9 PATENIEU ma 1 ms SHEET N (If 9 SHEET 5 OF 9 PAIENIE JUL31 191s PATENIEB JUL31 I975 SHEET 9 BF 9 mNTUE 1 EE 3052 o Uzi. m

mJOumZ WORK HANDLING MECHANISM FOR SEWING APPARATUS The present invention relates to an improved form of mechanism for receiving and stacking work pieces that have been subjected to a stitching operation by a high speed sewing machine.

An object of the invention has been to expedite the handling of a large number of work pieces which are delivered to a sewing machine for the performance of a hemming operation and are then discharged from the sewing machine. Swingable throwing rods are provided for receiving successive work pieces from a continuously operating conveyor which carries the work pieces into and beyond the stitch forming region. These swingable rods are arranged to quickly pick up the work pieces and apply them to a stationary supporting rod.

A feature of the invention is the provision of photoelectric means in the path of movement of the work pieces in the region where they are discharged from the sewing machine. This photoelectric means is arranged to bring about the release of the plurality of spaced rotary throwing rods which have received a stitched work piece from a continuously moving conveyor. These spaced rods are held stationary during the time a work piece is being advanced to a centralized position over the upper surfaces of the rods. When a work piecehas been advanced into the desired position in relation to the throwing rods the latter are released from their stationary position and swung through circular paths in vertical planes to deliver the work piece to a stationary catching rod. This occurs after the throwing rods have been swung about one end thereof, preferably through an angle of 180. The throwing rods'then continue their rotation, preferably to complete a single revolution back to their starting position. In the'course of such rotation the throwing rods are adapted to smoothly apply the work piece'to the stationary catching rod.

In the preferred form of the invention the rotary throwing rods are arranged to deliver a predetermined number of hemmed work pieces to the stationary catching rod which projects outwardly from a tumtable. The latter carries a plurality of stationary catching rods and it is turned through a' suitable angle to bring another stationary catching rod into the position where rods, after a predetermined number of work pieces have been deposited on the previously active catching rod. i

Turning now to the-drawings, a preferred embodiment of the invention which is shown therein will be described in .some detail.

In these drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the general relationship of the conveyor belt, the sewing machine and various other devices incorporated in the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing schematically a portion of the conveyor in the region in which the rotary throwing rods and the stationary catching rod are located.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the parts illustrated in FIG. 2 but with the rotary throwing rods in the course of delivering a work piece such as a garment sleeve to the stationary catching rod.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing schematically the turntable on which the stationary catching rods are carried, and showing the relationship between the acit will receive work pieces from the rotary throwing tive stationary rod and the rotary throwing rods, as the latter are delivering a work piece to the stationary rod.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 4, showing the throwing rods at a later point in the cycle of operation of the machine.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of certain electrical circuitry involved in controlling the operation of parts of the stacker mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a movable platform, over which the work pieces are delivered from the conveyor belt, and the means which carry and move said platform.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of certain of the parts shown in FIG. 7, as seen from the opposite side of the apparatus, and it shows in part the conveyor belt with work pieces thereon and the electrical connections for bringing about the movement of the platform.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevational view of the parts shown in FIG. 7, showing the platform shifted into a discharge position.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing means for controlling the stepping movement of a turntable which carries a plurality of catching rods, and

FIG. 10 is a detail view showing,,partly schematically, the means for. operating the rotary throwing rods.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a portion of the conveyor belt construction beyond the sewing region, and shows means for unfolding the hemmed edge portion of each work piece as it approaches the stacking means, and

FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic views showing, respectively, the hemmed portion of a work piece as it is being sewn and after it is unfolded.

The invention is shown and described herein as used in connection with anautomatic hemming unit of the type disclosed in the Timm Pat. No. 3,192,885 granted on July 6, 1965. Reference may be had to that patent for a more'detailed disclosure of the hemming unit in question. It will be seen that this unit, as illustrated herein in FIG. 1, involves a table top '10 which is supported by a leg structure, one leg of which is shown at 11, and carries on its top an endless conveyor belt 12, formed in four slightly spaced. parallel sections,and a sewing machine 13; The sewing machine disclosed herein is of the over-edge type, the details of which are more fully disclosed in the patent to Wallenberg et al. No. 2,704,042 granted on Mar. 15, ,l955.'-The apparatus may incorporate a. hem folder of the character shown in said Timm patent, stitch forming andwork feeding mechanism and the like, all arranged to bring about the production of the desired hem in-each work piece as the latter is advanced throughthe stitching zone of the sewing machine. The latter may also beprovided with thread chain severing mechanism such as that disclosed in the patent to Daniel et al. No. 3,l43,987, dated Aug. II, 1964.

The sewing machine is driven by a belt connection from a motor and clutch unit, not shown herein. The belt mentioned has its upper end looped around a pulley 17] secured to the main drive shaft of the sewing machine. A treadle may be rockably mounted on the supporting structure for the table, said treadle being rockable by the foot of the operator to bring about operation of the sewing machine from a continuously operating motor that is put into operation by a switch provided on a control box, not shown.

As shown in said Timm patent, connections are provided from the main drive shaft for imparting an advancing movement of a desired speed to the conveyor belt 12. This speed is approximately the same as that at which the work is advanced through the stitching zone by the work feeding mechanism of the sewing machine. The connections from the drive shaft for advancing the conveyor belt 12 preferably include a speed reducing mechanism which may be of the character disclosed in said prior patent.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided adjacent the right hand end of the conveyor belt 12 a triangular plate 11, preferably formed of sheet metal and provided with a smooth upper surface. This serves to pick up the work pieces, for example garment sleeves, being advanced by the conveyor belt toward the right, and thus facilitates dealing with successive work pieces as they move over and beyond a member, to be described hereinafter, which participates in the subsequent handling of the work pieces to deposit them on a stacking rod.

Parallel with the multiple section conveyor belt 12, in the region toward the discharge end thereof, there is pro provided a pair of shorter and narrower conveyor belts 16 and 17 which are spaced a suitable distance apart from each other. In the space between these two belts there is provided a stationary member having a reflective surface, and if this does not happen to be covered by a work piece, a light beam directed toward it from the member 14 will be reflected upwardly toward a photocell 13. As will be explained hereinafter this enables the apparatus to bring into play the various devices for removing the work pieces from the discharge end of the conveyor belt 12 and deliver these work pieces to the stacking region. A smooth surfaced triangular plate 15a is provided adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor belts l6 and 17 to facilitate the removal of the work pieces and their delivery to the stacking region.

As shown in FIG. 1 and explained in some detail in the above mentioned Timm patent, means designated 15 in said patent, and shown at 15b herein, are provided for folding one of the longitudinally advancing edges of each work piece as it is being advanced toward the sewing machine to present a folded edge to the.

stitch forming mechanism of the sewing machine. In accordance with'the present invention there is provided, downstream from the stitch forming region, means for unfolding the work piece to lay it flat on the conveyor belt, with only a small folded and sewn edge of the work piece being present as the work piece is delivered to the stacking means. This unfolding means, as shown in FIG. 11, comprises a metal plate 18 having a bar 18a extending along its upper edge, as shown, arranged to receive screws 18b by which it is secured to the supporting frame of the apparatus. The stitched hem 19 as it is being sewn is shown in FIG. 12A in relation to the path of the needle. This involves three layers of fabric. When the hem is unfolded it assumes the position indicated in FIG. 128 in relation to the plane in which the needle swings. Thus there are only two layers of fabric forming the hem extending outwardly from said plane in which the needle swings. At this time the needle thread has a small exposed portion visible on the upper surface of the work piece.

At the discharge end of the conveyor belt there is provided a platform 35 which is normally in the position indicatedin FIG. 1, but is adapted to be retracted toward and slightly over the conveyor at the time in a cycle of operation of the machine that the work is to be picked up and delivered to the catching rod. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 the platform has bars 35a and 3517 connected with it adjacent its two ends. The bars 350 and 35b are each pivotally connected with the upper ends of two pivotally mounted arms 36a and 36b, respectively, at the two sides of the conveyor. The lower ends of these pivoted anns 35a and 35b are secured to rockable rods or shafts 36c and 36d, respectively. These shafts are rockably mounted in a fixed part of the supporting frame of the apparatus. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a solenoid 37, which is suitably mounted on said frame, has its plunger 370 connected by a link or spring member 37b with an arm 36 that is secured to the shaft 36c. As will be further explained hereinafter, the solenoid 37 is arranged to be energized upon each cycle of operation of the apparatus to enable the work piece which has been advanced to a position over, and even slightly beyond, the platform 35 to be released from the latter and dropped onto a pair of throwing rods 40. Normally the platform and connected parts will be retained in the position shown in FIG. 7 by the action of a spring 38 which has one end connected with one of the arms 36b and its other end connected with a bar 38a secured to, and extending upwardly from, a portion of the machine frame. Stop elements 36f and 36g, which are in the path of movement of one of the arms 36b, serve to limit the extent of movement of the platform 35 in the two directions.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the throwing rods 40 extend radially outwardly from a hub member 41 which is secured to a shaft 42 and adapted to rotate with the latter at a particular time in a cycle of operation of the apparatus. The means for rotating the shaft 42, and thereby swinging the throwing rods thrpugh an angle of 360 comprises a gear motor 42a which preferably is adapted to operate at 45 RPM. This motor is constantly operated during the operation of the apparatus. It has a pulley 42b provided with a V-shaped surface which receives a V-shaped belt 420 that extends upwardly to a pulley 42d that has a flat surface cooperating with the belt. This permits the belt to slip freely on the pulley when the shaft 42 is prevented from rotating by the engagement of the rods 40 with the undersurfaceof the platform 35. As shown in FIG. 1, the pulley 42d is secured to a shaft 42. which is axially alined with the shaft 42 and has an L-shaped member 42f secured thereto with the outer portion of said member extending beneath the rods 40. It should be stated here that before a revolution can be imparted to the shaft 42 the platform 35 must be retracted by the energizing of solenoid 37. Such retraction of the platform serves to enable the work piece that is in the position indicated in FIG. 2, extending well beyond the left end of the conveyor, to drop onto the throwing rods just as the latter are freed for rotation.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the throwing rods 40 in the course of being given a rotary movement will serve to carry the work piece into engagement with a stationary catching rod 43. The latter extends radially outwardly from a turntable 44, which has a plurality of such catching rods extending outwardly therefrom. There may, for example, be 20 or moreof such rods, and the arrangement is preferably such that each catching rod will be held in the path of swinging movement of the throwing rods 40 long enough to collect a predetermined number of work pieces. Thus each of such rods,

in a typical example of the apparatus, may receive twelve work pieces so that altogether the turntable will receive two hundred and forty work pieces during a complete cycle of operations of the apparatus. Provision is made for turning the turntable after the desired number of work pieces have been deposited on a particular catching rod 43 to bring the next such catching rod into the work piece receiving position.

The relationship of the various parts associated with the throwing rods 40 is indicated, at a particular time in their operation, in FIG. 10. It will be understood that the driving belt 42c is vertically disposed in the apparatus while the throwing rods 40 are normally horizontally disposed in the apparatus when they are at rest during the operation of the apparatus. In FIG. they are shown in the position they will assume at a certain time in the operation thereof, namely after rotation through 90. As shown in FIG. 10, the rods 40 are preferably provided at each of a number of spaced intervals along their length with a ball bearing unit 40' which actually engages the work piece. These units serve to eliminate, or at least greatly reduce, the friction that might otherwise exist between the rods 40 and the sleeve while the throwing rods are straightening out the sleeve on the catching rod. As will be seen in FIGS. 1 and 10, there is provided a rod 40a between the throwing rods 40. It is shorter than the rods 40 and is dis-- posed at an angle downwardly of the stopped position of the rods 40. The rod 40a is for the purpose of retaining the L shaped member 42f in proper relation to the throwing rods 40 when the machine is idle. If the rod 40a were not provided, the L shaped member 42f might drop to a position in which it would extend downwardly and then would require rotation through 90 before the outer portion thereof would engage the under surface of the rods 40 to impart the swinging movement to the latter. 1

As will be seen from FIG. 5,, thethrowing rods 40 in the course of their swinging movement through a circular path will, after depositing a work piece on the catching rod 43, serve to straightenout the overhanging portions of the workpiece at the two sides of the catching rod. Thus, in the continuous operation of the stacking apparatus the predetermined number of work pieces will be deposited in a desiredstraightened out manner upon the catching rods. It will be understood that after a predetermined number of work pieces have beenuniformly applied to and smoothed out on the plurality of catching rods of the turntable they may be removed therefrom manually and delivered to a point for the performance of another operation thereon. Such removal may, if desired, be performed periodically during the operation of the apparatus as the catching rods pass through a convenient location so that the apparatus may be operated continuously over a period of time.

In FIG. 9 there is shown schematically the means for controlling the operation of the turntable to bring a new catching rod into position to receive a group of work pieces. As the platform 35 is shifted toward the right, i.e., into a retracted position, a pawl carried by one of the supporting bars 36 engages a ratchet wheel 46 to turn it through a small angle. In a typical example, the ratchet wheel 46 may have 24 teeth and it may be turned through the arcuate distance of the space between adjacent teeth upon each retraction of the platform. A detent pawl 47 retains the ratchet in its new position each time it is shifted. Connected with the ratchet 46 is a cam lobe 48 which is brought into engagement with a snap switch to operate the same each time the platform has been retracted twelve times. For this purpose this cam lobe is provided with two active ends.

In FIG. 1, there is shown in perspective the turntable 44 mounted upon the upper end of a vertically disposed shaft which is rotatable within a bearing member 44a. This is suitably supported on a conventional leg structure. At the lower end of the shaft to which the tumtable 44 is connected there is suitably mounted on the turntable structure a motor 44b, which is of the gear drive type preferably arranged for operation at a relatively low speed, such as 4 rpm.

Turning now to FIG. 6 there is shown schematically a circuit which receives electrical current from a suitable source through terminals 55. One of these terminals extends over to a switch 50 which is normally open and" has a downwardly extending pin 50a which is adapted to close the switch at desired times. The lower end of the pin 50a is arranged to be engaged by the arm 49 which is adapted to be urged upwardly about its pivot 49a by one or the other of the ends of the cam lobe 48. When the arm 49 is thus urged upwardly it closes the switch 50 to supply current to the turntable motor 44b, the other terminal of which is connected back to the source 55. However, the turntable will not be rotated at this time, since it is held against rotation by a suitable detent 44c (FIG. 1). The latter remains in active position until a further snap switch 51 is operated-by having its plunger 51a engaged by a cam 52 secured to the shaft 42 which carries the throwing rods 40. The arrangement is such that the snap switch 51 will not be closed until the rods 40 have rotated through somewhat more than 180' so that the work piece that has been picked up will have been applied to the catching rod 43 which is at that time in its active position. Thus even after the ratchet wheel 46 has been rotated step by step through an angle of l80 to close the switch 50 the circuit to the turntable motor will not be activated until the throwing rods have delivered the last workpiece of a group to the catching rod 43. When this has been accomplished the turntable motor 44b will be permitted to turn the turntable to bring a new catching rod into active position. This is made possible by the closing of the snap switch 51 which enables the delivery of current to the solenoid 44d which releases the detent 44c thatnorrnally prevents rotation of the turntable. It thus permits rotation of the turntable by motor 44b.

In FIG. 7A there is indicated the circuitry involved in relation to the light source 14 and photocell 13 which controls the operation of various devices, such as the retraction of the platform 35 when the leading workpiece is ready to be picked up by the throw rods 40 and delivered to the catching rod. Thus, current is delivered from a source 60 to a commercially available photocell controlled circuit which actuates a relay that in turn energizesthe solenoid 37. This known form of circuit is indicated at 61 from which connections are provided through a line 62 to the, light source 14. As previously indicated, this light source is arranged to direct a beam of light toward a reflective surface 15 over which successive work pieces are passed in the operation of the apparatus. When the work piece is in the path of the light beam, the latter will be inactive. However, when the trailing end of the work piece passes beyond'the point at which the light beam is directed toward the reflective surface, the beam will be reflected toward the photocell 13. The latter is connected through a line 63 to terminals C and D of the member 61 and current will then be passed through lines 64 to the solenoid 37 for energizing the latter and bringing about movement of the platform 35 to release the throwing rods, thereby enabling them to pick up the leading work piece and swing it over to the catching rod. Shortly thereafter the forward end of the next work piece will move over the point on the reflective surface toward which the beam of light is directed, so that the delivery of light to the photocell 13 will again be cut off. The light source 14 and photocell 13 may be shifted in their relationship to the reflective surface to enable the proper handling of work pieces of different lengths. For this purpose there is provided a bracket 65 secured to the table top 10. This bracket has an upwardly and outwardly extending portion, the outer end of which carries a horizontally disposed slotted element 66. The light source and photocell may be adjustably positioned in the slots provided in element 66 to bring about the result mentioned.

It is believed that from the foregoing the automatic operation and control of the stacking apparatus of the present invention will be clear. Briefly, successive work pieces which are to receive a stitching operation are applied to the conveyor belt arrangement, in the left hand region thereof as seen in FIG. 1. As disclosed in the hereinabove-mentioned Timm patent, the work pieces will be placed upon the conveyor belt in slightly spaced relation, and the photoelectric means for controlling the operation of the apparatus will involve the light source 14 and the photocell 13 which will receive light when the beam projected by light source 14 is permit ted to reach the reflective surface 15 between the trailing end of one work piece and the forward end of the next work piece. The means for operating the throw rods 40 to pick up a stitched work piece from the end of the conveyor belt 12 and convey it to the catch rod 43 will be permitted to operate when the platform 35 is shifted toward the discharge end of the conveyor belt, at which time the platform 35 will be in a position in which it will not prevent the rotation of the throwing rods. Such shifting of the platform enables the V belt 420, which is driven by the gear motor 420, to rotate the pulley 42d and thus cause the L shaped member 42f (FIG. 10) to pick up and swing the throw rods 40 through an angle of 360. During the first 180 portion of this swinging of the throw rods, 90 of which has taken place when they are in the position shown in FIG. 10, they will pick up the work piece that has been delivered by the conveyor belt 12 into their path and they will deposit the .work piece on the catching rod 43. As they continue to swing through a portion of the rest of a complete revolution, the rods 40 will smoothen out the work piece on the catch rod, as shown in FIG. 5. Before the throw rods complete the 360 rotation, the platform 35 will have been restored to the position in their path, as shown in FIG. 1, so that the swinging of the throw rods will then be stopped by the platform and will remain stationary, with the belt 42c slipping on the pulley 42d, until the platform 35 is again shifted toward the right (FIG. 1). This is when the light responsive means again becomes effective as the beam from the light source 14 is again directed toward the gap between the work piece that has been stitched and the next work piece ready to be stitched. After a predetermined number of work pieces have been delivered by the throwing rods to an active receiving rod 43 carried by the turn table 44, the member 48 will engage the arm 49 and close the switch 50 to bring about a rotation of the turn table to carry the next catch rod into the position where it will receive a number of work pieces.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in some detail, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the various parts of the apparatus as herein disclosed, within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Typical of modifications that may be made in the construction is the substitution of an endless cable or a long rod for the turntable above described, as the means for carrying a plurality of catch rods which may be successively brought into the path of the work pieces as the latter are swung through an are by the throwing rods.

What is claimed is:

1. Stacking mechanism for hemmed work pieces which comprises a conveyor having a conveying surface adapted to receive and convey successive work pieces to a stacking region, a pair of spaced, parallel swingable rods disposed adjacent the end of said conveyor and adapted to receive successive work pieces from said conveyor, means comprising a platform member normally held in a position which provides a work supporting'surface extending beyond the end of the conveyor and over the swingable rods normally retaining said rods substantially in a plane that is aligned with the conveying surface of said conveyor as a work piece is'being delivered to said rods, means for directing a beam of light toward an area through which work pieces are carried by said conveyor, means responsive to light from said beam, when no work-piece is in said area and when the work piece is duly positioned in the path of movement of said rods, adapted automatically to release said rods, means for swinging said rods through 360' when the latter are released, whereby said rods swing a work piece engaged thereby through an arc, and a stationary rod extending in the path of the work piece to receive and retain the latter as the parallel rods swing through said arc.

2. Stacking mechanism for hemmed work pieces which comprises a conveyor adapted to receive and convey successive work pieces to a stacking region, a pair of spaced, parallel rods disposed adjacent the end of said conveyor and. adapted to receive successive work pieces from said conveyor, means normally retaining said rods substantially in a plane that is alin'ed with the conveyingsurface of said conveyor, means for directing a beam of light toward an area through which work pieces are carried by said conveyor, means responsive to light from said beam, when no work-piece is in said area, adapted to release said rods, means for swinging said rods through 360 when the latter are released, whereby said rods swing a work piece engaged thereby through an arc, and a stationary rod extending in the path of the work piece to receive and retain the latter as the parallel rods swing through said arc, said means for swinging said rods comprising a continuously moving drive belt and a cooperating pulley arranged to be driven by said belt, said belt being adapted to slip rods.

4. Stacking mechanism as set forth in claim 3 in which said last recited means comprises a rod extending outwardly from the axis about which said first mentioned rods are swung.

5. Stacking mechanism for sewn work pieces which comprises a conveyor having a conveying surface for delivering the work pieces successively from the region in which they have been sewn to a stacking region, a

pair of spaced parallel swingable rods, means for nor-' mally retaining said rods in a position initially extending transversely of the path of work pieces delivered by said conveyor and disposed adjacent the delivery end of said conveyor and lying substantially in a plane that is aligned with the conveying surface of said conveyor and over and onto which the successive work pieces are delivered endwise by said conveyor, means for swinging said rods about one end thereof through an arc of 360 when a work piece has been delivered to said rods with the central portion of said work piece extending between said rods and with the end portions of said work piece extending respectively symmetrically beyond and behind said rods to carry said work piece through an arcuate path, and a stationaryv catching rod in the path of movement of the work piece as it is carried by said swingable rods, said catching rod lying substantially in a plane that is aligned with the conveying surface of said conveyor whereby to engage the'central portion of the work piece extending between said rods after said rods have swung through substantially the first 180? of said are of 360, the continued swinging of said rods carrying the end portions of said work piece downwardly on opposite sides of said catching rod to progressively smooth and straighten the entire lengths of said end portions, and the further continued swinging of said rods carrying the same clear of said work piece and to said initial disposition, said means for normally retaining said swingable rods substantially in a plane that is aligned with the conveying surface of said conveyor comprising a platform member normally held in a position which provides a work supporting surface extending beyond the end of the conveyor and over the swingable rods.

6. Stacking mechanism for sewn work pieces which comprises a conveyor having a conveying surface for delivering the work pieces successively from the region in which they have been sewn to a stacking region, a pair of spaced parallel swingable rods, means for normally retaining said rods in a position initially extending transversely of the path of work pieces delivered by said conveyor and disposed adjacent the delivery end of said conveyor and lying substantially in a plane that is aligned with the conveying surface'of said conveyor and over and onto which the successive work pieces are delivered endwise by said conveyor, means for swinging said rods about one end thereof through an arc of 360 when a work piece has been delivered to said rods with the central portion of said work piece extending between said rods and with the end portions of said work piece extending respectively symmetrically beyond and behind said rods to carry said work piece through an arcuate path, and a stationary catching rod in the path of movement of the work piece as it is carried by said swingable rods, said catching rod lying substantially in a plane that is aligned with the conveying surface of said conveyor whereby to engage, the central portion of the work piece extending between said rods after said rods have swung through substantially the first l of said are of 360, the continued swinging of said rods carrying the end portions of said work piece downwardly on opposite sides of said catching rod to progressively smooth and straighten the entire lengths of said end portions, andthe further continued swinging of said rods carrying the same clear of said work piece and to said initialdisposition, said means for swinging said rods comprising a continuously moving drive belt and a cooperating pulley arranged to be driven by said belt, said belt being adapted to slip around the periphery of said pulley when said rods are retained against swinging movement.

7. Stacking mechanism as set forth in claim 6 in which said means for swinging said rods comprises a lever connected with said pulley for rotation therewith, said lever being rockable by gravity when operation of said mechanism is discontinued, and means connected with said rods in the region'of the axis about which they are swung arranged to cooperate with said lever to limit the extent of its movement by gravity and thus maintain it in a position ready for engagement with said parallel rods. 7 a

8. Stacking mechanism as set forth in claim 7 in which said last recited means comprises a rod extending outwardly from the axis about which said first men-- tioned rods are swung. 

1. Stacking mechanism for hemmed work pieces which comprises a conveyor having a conveying surface adapted to receive and convey successive work pieces to a stacking region, a pair of spaced, parallel swingable rods disposed adjacent the end of said conveyor and adapted to recEive successive work pieces from said conveyor, means comprising a platform member normally held in a position which provides a work supporting surface extending beyond the end of the conveyor and over the swingable rods normally retaining said rods substantially in a plane that is aligned with the conveying surface of said conveyor as a work piece is being delivered to said rods, means for directing a beam of light toward an area through which work pieces are carried by said conveyor, means responsive to light from said beam, when no work-piece is in said area and when the work piece is duly positioned in the path of movement of said rods, adapted automatically to release said rods, means for swinging said rods through 360* when the latter are released, whereby said rods swing a work piece engaged thereby through an arc, and a stationary rod extending in the path of the work piece to receive and retain the latter as the parallel rods swing through said arc.
 2. Stacking mechanism for hemmed work pieces which comprises a conveyor adapted to receive and convey successive work pieces to a stacking region, a pair of spaced, parallel rods disposed adjacent the end of said conveyor and adapted to receive successive work pieces from said conveyor, means normally retaining said rods substantially in a plane that is alined with the conveying surface of said conveyor, means for directing a beam of light toward an area through which work pieces are carried by said conveyor, means responsive to light from said beam, when no work-piece is in said area, adapted to release said rods, means for swinging said rods through 360* when the latter are released, whereby said rods swing a work piece engaged thereby through an arc, and a stationary rod extending in the path of the work piece to receive and retain the latter as the parallel rods swing through said arc, said means for swinging said rods comprising a continuously moving drive belt and a cooperating pulley arranged to be driven by said belt, said belt being adapted to slip around the periphery of said pulley when said rods are held against swinging movement.
 3. Stacking mechanism as set forth in claim 2 in which said means for swinging said rods comprises a lever connected with said pulley for rotation therewith, said lever being rockable by gravity when operation of said mechanism is discontinued, and means connected with said rods in the region of the axis about which they are swung arranged to cooperate with said lever to limit the extent of its movement by gravity and thus maintain it in a position ready for engagement with said parallel rods.
 4. Stacking mechanism as set forth in claim 3 in which said last recited means comprises a rod extending outwardly from the axis about which said first mentioned rods are swung.
 5. Stacking mechanism for sewn work pieces which comprises a conveyor having a conveying surface for delivering the work pieces successively from the region in which they have been sewn to a stacking region, a pair of spaced parallel swingable rods, means for normally retaining said rods in a position initially extending transversely of the path of work pieces delivered by said conveyor and disposed adjacent the delivery end of said conveyor and lying substantially in a plane that is aligned with the conveying surface of said conveyor and over and onto which the successive work pieces are delivered endwise by said conveyor, means for swinging said rods about one end thereof through an arc of 360* when a work piece has been delivered to said rods with the central portion of said work piece extending between said rods and with the end portions of said work piece extending respectively symmetrically beyond and behind said rods to carry said work piece through an arcuate path, and a stationary catching rod in the path of movement of the work piece as it is carried by said swingable rods, said catching rod lying substantially in a plane that is aligned with the conveying sUrface of said conveyor whereby to engage the central portion of the work piece extending between said rods after said rods have swung through substantially the first 180* of said arc of 360*, the continued swinging of said rods carrying the end portions of said work piece downwardly on opposite sides of said catching rod to progressively smooth and straighten the entire lengths of said end portions, and the further continued swinging of said rods carrying the same clear of said work piece and to said initial disposition, said means for normally retaining said swingable rods substantially in a plane that is aligned with the conveying surface of said conveyor comprising a platform member normally held in a position which provides a work supporting surface extending beyond the end of the conveyor and over the swingable rods.
 6. Stacking mechanism for sewn work pieces which comprises a conveyor having a conveying surface for delivering the work pieces successively from the region in which they have been sewn to a stacking region, a pair of spaced parallel swingable rods, means for normally retaining said rods in a position initially extending transversely of the path of work pieces delivered by said conveyor and disposed adjacent the delivery end of said conveyor and lying substantially in a plane that is aligned with the conveying surface of said conveyor and over and onto which the successive work pieces are delivered endwise by said conveyor, means for swinging said rods about one end thereof through an arc of 360* when a work piece has been delivered to said rods with the central portion of said work piece extending between said rods and with the end portions of said work piece extending respectively symmetrically beyond and behind said rods to carry said work piece through an arcuate path, and a stationary catching rod in the path of movement of the work piece as it is carried by said swingable rods, said catching rod lying substantially in a plane that is aligned with the conveying surface of said conveyor whereby to engage, the central portion of the work piece extending between said rods after said rods have swung through substantially the first 180* of said arc of 360*, the continued swinging of said rods carrying the end portions of said work piece downwardly on opposite sides of said catching rod to progressively smooth and straighten the entire lengths of said end portions, and the further continued swinging of said rods carrying the same clear of said work piece and to said initial disposition, said means for swinging said rods comprising a continuously moving drive belt and a cooperating pulley arranged to be driven by said belt, said belt being adapted to slip around the periphery of said pulley when said rods are retained against swinging movement.
 7. Stacking mechanism as set forth in claim 6 in which said means for swinging said rods comprises a lever connected with said pulley for rotation therewith, said lever being rockable by gravity when operation of said mechanism is discontinued, and means connected with said rods in the region of the axis about which they are swung arranged to cooperate with said lever to limit the extent of its movement by gravity and thus maintain it in a position ready for engagement with said parallel rods.
 8. Stacking mechanism as set forth in claim 7 in which said last recited means comprises a rod extending outwardly from the axis about which said first mentioned rods are swung. 